Spoleto for 2-3 nights?

Having been to both, I would select Spoleto. Quiet, small, relatively few tourists (compared to Siena, Florence). In fact, we will be in Umbria (Assisi, a day trip to Spoleto) in late September and I am so looking forward to the return as it has been about 6 years since we visited!

We like Lucca a lot, too. It is a nice change from the city. Not a ton to do but pleasant to walk, absorb, enjoy. 3 nights migth be enough, though, unless you plan to go to places outside of Lucca (Pisa, Viareggio).

I agree with the previous comment; Siena is beautiful but very full of tourists, even in the off-season. If you're looking for peace & quiet and a chance to absorb everyday life, I'd say Spoleto would be your better choice of the two.

" Hubby thought travel agent could do it better without all the internet work."

Be careful. Unless you are working with someone who specifically knows these parts of Italy, they could do a LOT worse than you will with your own research. Many travel agents just recommend places they know of, or can get commissions on, or assume people want to see (without ascertaining their particular needs and wants).

Thank you everyone for your advice. My travel agent has had my preliminary itinerary for 2+ weeks now and still hasn't come up with anything. Again I was put off to next week. I didn't get good vibes when I met with her after talking with her 3 days previous and when we met she took out the map to see where Rome and Florence were and what towns were in between. I don't think I mentioned to you folks that we are not renting a car this trip. We've toured Italy in the past with tours and by ourselves 3 other times. Hubby is now 75 and doesn't want the stress of driving. I'm only the navigator. Talk about stress, even with GPS. So we need to be in towns where there is good access to trains/buses. We've done a couple of train trips from back to Rome after dropping off cars but never used buses. Rick says everyone should do bus travel. You mingle with the locals. I think if we are in Spoleto and want to get to a few Umbrian towns (definitely Assisi) we should probably use the buses.

Frances,
We travel solely by bus and train. Only rarely can I be talked into a car rental and then it is most likely for a single day. Yes, we miss some places, but our stress level is low and our enjoyment high.

Buses can take a little to figure out. I use Google a lot and search for "bus from X to Y" and go from there. Locals will help you too. You are by now accustomed enough to Italy to manage, I am certain.

Laura, thank you and to everyone. Now to let my TA down gently (although she has put us off for the last 2 1/2 weeks). The plan I'm thinking of now is 3 nights in Rome, 2-3 in Spleto (can't decide what side trip from Spoleto), 2-3 in Assisi (2 may be enough), 4 in Florence (that will allow us to visit Lucca, maybe Pisa a wine tour). Total trip can be 12-13 nights. Frances

Thank you everyone for your Umbria suggestions. However, we decided to spend time in Lucca this trip. We have been talking in the past about basing ourselves there and heard some wonderful reviews from friends. I'll have to wait until the next trip to return to Umbria. Frances

Thank you everyone for your Umbria suggestions. However, we decided to spend time in Lucca this trip. We have been talking in the past about basing ourselves there and heard some wonderful reviews from friends. I'll have to wait until the next trip to return to Umbria. Frances